Didn't know it had been 4 month since I blogged on my own site. I read several daily and enjoy reading about old (yes, you guys are OLD)college pals and the growing babies. I think I'll try to learn how to add a picture someday soon. Although I am camera challenged. We got Jessica a new one for Xmas and she took my memory card b/c M was ordering on on Ebay....which didn't work and came all the way from Hong Kong...so I still need to go to Best Buy and get one.
We are on Spring Break this week. We have a few play dates planned with some friends then head to Harding U on Thurs for Spring Sing, whoa everybody SING SING YEAH!!! Jess and I will do some wedding stuff in LR on Fri. The PV church bldg has tables, tablecloths, candlesticks, sheers and more to borrow. Plus we just decide where the tables for the reception need to be placed and they set it up for us. NICE!!! That will be a HUGE thing to mark off our list. The girls are very excited about Spring Sing and all plan to be hostesses some day. :) Two of the kids who hosted the show last year went to HUF with Jess and Josh and are singing in the wedding. Kat is OVER THE MOON to meet them. So funny!
We are getting used to life in SL. After our last trip back to the ortho in Indep, Hannah said "it wasn't home anymore". She had the sad realization that the old friends move on without you and it's different to hang with them. Part of the moving package. I joined the New Neighbor's League of SL which is a club for fun and friendship to new people in the area. I have been to luncheons at parts of SL that are out of my usual "comfort zone", but my trusty GPS gets me there and home. They have all kinds of activities and opportunities to meet people, so it's good.
Not much else to report now....hope to dent the boxes in the "cardboard jungle" of a basement that we have. Mark is unpacking and hopes to unload some of his treasure on Ebay or Goodwill....I let him do the same with my rejected treasurers. :)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Thursday, November 15, 2007
News from SL
Nothing like having so much to do that you do something else to further distract yourself. :) I'm due in Em's class in a few min, so no time to do any REAL work--so I'll blog a bit. My church gals are taking me out for lunch today...looking forward to that. I always miss my mom during the week of our birthdays. Mom's was one day before mine and we always celebrated together. I don't miss the crazy years of taking doughnuts to the nursing home and watching Mom pick crumbs off the floor---why can't I forget that celebration and remember only all the 2 layer cakes with my name in frosting, after home made fried chicken, orange tapioca salad, etc.....We enjoyed celebrating our special days together and that will always be with me.
It's been busy this past month. I was out of town at least once a week, working my business or playing or both. I was in Searcy twice--working and visiting Jess. We were able to fit the Homecoming play in our plans. It was "The Wizard of Oz" and so GOOD! I wished I had brought the little girls. (Not H since she saw "Wicked" in Chicago last week without me lol). I hit Indep for a haircut and took H to the ortho. We go back in Dec to get her braces off and she's THRILLED---I was thrilled to make the LAST payment :) for that mouth---2 down, 3 to go.
Last week I took the younger 3 to Silver Dollar City. It was perfect weather, lots of people in the park, but mostly senior citizens and they weren't riding the rides, so we rode and rode and rode. The lights were wonderful, hanging out with my favorite SDC pal, Joy, was good medicine for this gal. The girls got along really well and we couldn't have had a nicer time.
Lots to do to finish up Nov. We have a couple sets of company coming, so that means cleaning. In all my years of being a mom, I don't think I have ever gotten out the vacuum without someone asking "Who's coming over?" Like we can live without terminal crumbs when company comes. Anyway, I got the drawers changed over in the girls room, not mine....a huge job when you know where your stuff is, even bigger when you still have cardboard decor.:) I have a couple shows to do---yay! We'll get to see the folks next week in Jackson, plus our Dallas pals, Dale and Lesa, plus their five hopefully and some more company here after that. Jess gets in this Fri and I have big plans to have good help around here. :)
Time to head to the first grade. Em's teacher lets me read with the kids--LOVE IT!!
It's been busy this past month. I was out of town at least once a week, working my business or playing or both. I was in Searcy twice--working and visiting Jess. We were able to fit the Homecoming play in our plans. It was "The Wizard of Oz" and so GOOD! I wished I had brought the little girls. (Not H since she saw "Wicked" in Chicago last week without me lol). I hit Indep for a haircut and took H to the ortho. We go back in Dec to get her braces off and she's THRILLED---I was thrilled to make the LAST payment :) for that mouth---2 down, 3 to go.
Last week I took the younger 3 to Silver Dollar City. It was perfect weather, lots of people in the park, but mostly senior citizens and they weren't riding the rides, so we rode and rode and rode. The lights were wonderful, hanging out with my favorite SDC pal, Joy, was good medicine for this gal. The girls got along really well and we couldn't have had a nicer time.
Lots to do to finish up Nov. We have a couple sets of company coming, so that means cleaning. In all my years of being a mom, I don't think I have ever gotten out the vacuum without someone asking "Who's coming over?" Like we can live without terminal crumbs when company comes. Anyway, I got the drawers changed over in the girls room, not mine....a huge job when you know where your stuff is, even bigger when you still have cardboard decor.:) I have a couple shows to do---yay! We'll get to see the folks next week in Jackson, plus our Dallas pals, Dale and Lesa, plus their five hopefully and some more company here after that. Jess gets in this Fri and I have big plans to have good help around here. :)
Time to head to the first grade. Em's teacher lets me read with the kids--LOVE IT!!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Bahama mama returns, yah, man!
Here I am back in blogland again. Too many events to keep up. We like to back our events up on top of each other so when they're over, we're so tired we can't miss the fun that's now over. Two weekends ago Mark did a Marriage Retreat for our JC church friends. He did it last year with our friend, Mark and that led to us getting our new job. Crazy how the Lord works things out without any help from us. :) It was great fun to visit with some old friends, new friends and youngster couples of our friends. The JC group holds a special place in my heart b/c it's been "home" for so long and they are so dear. I miss being a part of them regularly, but enjoy every moment I can when I'm with them. We were so tickled to get to hang with our neighbor kids, Matt and Gina. They've grown into such wise, wonderful examples and we're so proud of their walk. Plus they are still as much fun as ever and we delight in each other. The young couples of our friends are so fun to watch, newlyweds, parents-to-be, parents of younguns, all so dear!! What a treat to get to see them all, especially fun to have Scott and Joy K there too. M's little sis and little bro-in-law.
We returned on Sun pm and left on Wed am for our trip to Atlantis. My sister, Pat, came in on the plane on Tues, helped me pack and took us to the airport. Everything was so crazy getting everything ready to leave, Mark and I didn't have time to get excited until the taxi delivered us to the hotel. We are rookies at this vacation stuff, never having been on a "real" vacation (Warchestin camp doesn't count as vacation with the ac duct-taped to the tent.) with or without the kids. We should have arrived earlier in the day like my pals, but we were on the beach within 10 min of seeing our hotel room. The resort was BEAUTIFUL!! We stayed in the Cove, a new hotel, just opened in May. So gorgeous!! We were the only ones on the beach each night when we went out, and the next am too. The water park with the mile long lazy river with rapids and slides was just outside the Cove too. We only had one Arbonne function to attend, nice to have that to be able to call the whole event "work." Arbonne gave us breakfast vouchers and dinner allowance too. We managed to make it on 2 huge meals a day. :) We spent lots of time on the beach, on the lazy river, did a bit of shopping, went to the big island of Nassau to shop, ate at some amazing restaurants, loved every glimpse of the ocean. We were so sad to have to leave early on Sun. The rookies should have had a later leave time, our friends stayed until 6 pm and hung out at the pool all day. Rats!! It couldn't have been a nicer time, such good memories, can't wait to return with the kids someday.
It was weird to live without our cell phones for a few days. We got used to not talking to the girls, but needed them to talk to each other on the island. We were at Bobby Flay's restaurant when we could have been eating free at the reception, but it worked out ok. We had the best steak of our lives the last night we were there, plus good Haagen Das!! :) We were glad to turn our phones on and hear from the girls once we were in Miami. All our travels went smoothly and that's huge in this world of airline woes.
The kids did well without us, all glad to see us, especially Pat. :) Has taken a day or two to recover the laundry and the routine. Fall weather is coming to SL tomorrow, will be sad to put away my flip flops that have had such a fun adventure this week. :)
We returned on Sun pm and left on Wed am for our trip to Atlantis. My sister, Pat, came in on the plane on Tues, helped me pack and took us to the airport. Everything was so crazy getting everything ready to leave, Mark and I didn't have time to get excited until the taxi delivered us to the hotel. We are rookies at this vacation stuff, never having been on a "real" vacation (Warchestin camp doesn't count as vacation with the ac duct-taped to the tent.) with or without the kids. We should have arrived earlier in the day like my pals, but we were on the beach within 10 min of seeing our hotel room. The resort was BEAUTIFUL!! We stayed in the Cove, a new hotel, just opened in May. So gorgeous!! We were the only ones on the beach each night when we went out, and the next am too. The water park with the mile long lazy river with rapids and slides was just outside the Cove too. We only had one Arbonne function to attend, nice to have that to be able to call the whole event "work." Arbonne gave us breakfast vouchers and dinner allowance too. We managed to make it on 2 huge meals a day. :) We spent lots of time on the beach, on the lazy river, did a bit of shopping, went to the big island of Nassau to shop, ate at some amazing restaurants, loved every glimpse of the ocean. We were so sad to have to leave early on Sun. The rookies should have had a later leave time, our friends stayed until 6 pm and hung out at the pool all day. Rats!! It couldn't have been a nicer time, such good memories, can't wait to return with the kids someday.
It was weird to live without our cell phones for a few days. We got used to not talking to the girls, but needed them to talk to each other on the island. We were at Bobby Flay's restaurant when we could have been eating free at the reception, but it worked out ok. We had the best steak of our lives the last night we were there, plus good Haagen Das!! :) We were glad to turn our phones on and hear from the girls once we were in Miami. All our travels went smoothly and that's huge in this world of airline woes.
The kids did well without us, all glad to see us, especially Pat. :) Has taken a day or two to recover the laundry and the routine. Fall weather is coming to SL tomorrow, will be sad to put away my flip flops that have had such a fun adventure this week. :)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Hitting the Target
Today H and I got up early and drove to Indep for her ortho appt. She planned to eat lunch at THS with her pals while I got my hair cut etc...My appt fell thru and I can't go on with this Kunta Kinte (story of Roots) much longer, so that's another musing.... So by the grace of a friendly attendance clerk who used to like Mark and felt sorry for our demise at IPS, H got in and had a lovely visit. I got to do the retail therapy that one's favorite stores can provide especially at the 70% rack. Don't know what I was thinking shopping alone, I can never tell if anything looks good, always looks bad to me....but I did pick up several things for M and me to add to our beach collection which happens 2 weeks from today! Woo hoo!
Anyway, H and I chatted most of I70 about how weird it was to be in Indep doing what we used to do and not being a part of all of it anymore. I know from leaving JC that it's rough being a visitor where you used to be a part of a group. At first it's easier to stay away than go thru the pain. Then it gets a bit easier, and more so if you're trying to move forward. I tried to help H get thru this rough patch, but I'm about in the same boat. I have 3 Targets and a Kohl's 2 huge Malls and all the box stores anyone needs, but I shopped where it was easy. Didn't have to wander around looking for the sale racks, already knew where they were. Moving forward will have to include learning the new stores. Lucky for me we have a new Kohl's opening next month by our shopping center. :)
I did have a fun lunch with a couple friends and they are also going to be here in SL to worship with us--good times. New friends meet the old, all good.
H will recover quickly. She gets to go to Chicago with the LHS band and has a date to Homecoming. Not bad for a kid who's been here a month. Kat has had a head full of pollen and now a sinus infection. I did find a nice dr's office on my end of the county. Was very pleased about finding them. Little does she know that having us for patients is like walking into a new retirement account. :)
Off to rest my I-70 bones. Think Mission Impossible is upstairs, a man with a remote and he's not afraid to use it.
Anyway, H and I chatted most of I70 about how weird it was to be in Indep doing what we used to do and not being a part of all of it anymore. I know from leaving JC that it's rough being a visitor where you used to be a part of a group. At first it's easier to stay away than go thru the pain. Then it gets a bit easier, and more so if you're trying to move forward. I tried to help H get thru this rough patch, but I'm about in the same boat. I have 3 Targets and a Kohl's 2 huge Malls and all the box stores anyone needs, but I shopped where it was easy. Didn't have to wander around looking for the sale racks, already knew where they were. Moving forward will have to include learning the new stores. Lucky for me we have a new Kohl's opening next month by our shopping center. :)
I did have a fun lunch with a couple friends and they are also going to be here in SL to worship with us--good times. New friends meet the old, all good.
H will recover quickly. She gets to go to Chicago with the LHS band and has a date to Homecoming. Not bad for a kid who's been here a month. Kat has had a head full of pollen and now a sinus infection. I did find a nice dr's office on my end of the county. Was very pleased about finding them. Little does she know that having us for patients is like walking into a new retirement account. :)
Off to rest my I-70 bones. Think Mission Impossible is upstairs, a man with a remote and he's not afraid to use it.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Weekend update
Just checked all my regular blogs I read. So happy to hear good news, like new babies and birthdays, so will update just a bit. Need to get on my power walk before the weather gets too warm. Altho it was CHILLY here this w/e. More on that later. Glad for the warm days to return, can't find long pants for the peeps yet. :)
We had a wonderful weekend with Jess and Josh. They got here about 10 on Friday nite and we stayed up late visiting and laughing. Josh hadn't seen the Stinnett girls (just us 3 big uns) carry on and be GOOFY! Thought he might take to the nearest highway, but he stayed and enjoyed the banter. Mark and I took J & J to the Cards game on Sat. We thought we had tickets for the early game but found out at the gate that they were for the night game. We wandered around downtown SL, found a Macy's and tried to buy hoodies. Found M some shirts on sale, but no hoodies that were cheaper than parking. We went home for warm clothes went out to eat and back to the game. We were pros at the driving downtown, and parking, so easy coming and going. The seats were good. They honored the 87 World Series team, very cool to see those familiar players. Jess and Josh were both born in 87, nice touch. We had to watch the scoreboard to keep Josh from seeing the Razorback score before we got home. We teased him all night about what we knew and he didn't. The Cards WON!! The Razorbacks lost in the last 8 sec after coming back big in the 4 qt. Poor Josh, he was so bummed as he stayed up and watched the game on the DVR.
We all went to church, of course. We are having a gospel meeting, so M didn't preach. Some girls from JC were there. So fun to see them. Also a family from Green Pines Elem that Emily knew were visiting, very nice. The congregation had a Welcome the Stinnetts Potluck at Ed and Lisa's afterward. It was so nice to sit and visit with everyone. So many people got to meet Jess and Josh who were both troopers to smile and visit with people. They left about 3, both have tests and stuff to do.
The big revelation this w/e was how FUN it is to have big kids on a new level. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with J & J. (The other girls were well entertained--not to worry about them). It's weird to us to have a young man as part of Jess's life, and it's weird that it's not that weird, more natural than we imagined this part would be....a new parenting chapter for us. Another chapter in my book "Parenting for Dummies", watch for me on Oprah someday. :) Tickets to the show will be available. :)
Lots to do, a power walk now. A busy week ahead. For today, we're GOOD!
We had a wonderful weekend with Jess and Josh. They got here about 10 on Friday nite and we stayed up late visiting and laughing. Josh hadn't seen the Stinnett girls (just us 3 big uns) carry on and be GOOFY! Thought he might take to the nearest highway, but he stayed and enjoyed the banter. Mark and I took J & J to the Cards game on Sat. We thought we had tickets for the early game but found out at the gate that they were for the night game. We wandered around downtown SL, found a Macy's and tried to buy hoodies. Found M some shirts on sale, but no hoodies that were cheaper than parking. We went home for warm clothes went out to eat and back to the game. We were pros at the driving downtown, and parking, so easy coming and going. The seats were good. They honored the 87 World Series team, very cool to see those familiar players. Jess and Josh were both born in 87, nice touch. We had to watch the scoreboard to keep Josh from seeing the Razorback score before we got home. We teased him all night about what we knew and he didn't. The Cards WON!! The Razorbacks lost in the last 8 sec after coming back big in the 4 qt. Poor Josh, he was so bummed as he stayed up and watched the game on the DVR.
We all went to church, of course. We are having a gospel meeting, so M didn't preach. Some girls from JC were there. So fun to see them. Also a family from Green Pines Elem that Emily knew were visiting, very nice. The congregation had a Welcome the Stinnetts Potluck at Ed and Lisa's afterward. It was so nice to sit and visit with everyone. So many people got to meet Jess and Josh who were both troopers to smile and visit with people. They left about 3, both have tests and stuff to do.
The big revelation this w/e was how FUN it is to have big kids on a new level. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with J & J. (The other girls were well entertained--not to worry about them). It's weird to us to have a young man as part of Jess's life, and it's weird that it's not that weird, more natural than we imagined this part would be....a new parenting chapter for us. Another chapter in my book "Parenting for Dummies", watch for me on Oprah someday. :) Tickets to the show will be available. :)
Lots to do, a power walk now. A busy week ahead. For today, we're GOOD!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Go Cards!
We are having a taste of lovely fall weather here in ST Lou. It makes running the errands and the kids so much more enjoyable. No home football tonight but will get to enjoy an outdoor outside tomorrow at the Cubs and CARDS game! One of our church families has season tickets so we have excellent seats and are taking Josh and Jess. The new stadium is so lovely!! As you look out around you the SL skyline plus the Arch are looking back at you. The traffic is worrisome. We haven't been to downtown by ourselves yet in YEARS! Lets hope we don't end up in Ill like we used to do. There is a professional bike race across MO that ends downtown tomorrow, plus a Rams game, a NHL game and a balloon race in Forest Park, so it's a traffic mess! A BUSY day here in SL. Let's hope our Cards are ready to WIN!!!
Going to finish the housework and head to the grocery before everything gets too wild. We are all looking forward to having Jess and Josh here. Can't wait to hug, hug, hug that girl of ours.
Going to finish the housework and head to the grocery before everything gets too wild. We are all looking forward to having Jess and Josh here. Can't wait to hug, hug, hug that girl of ours.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Comforts of home
We are trying to make this new place feel like home. Sat I made banana bread--had to run to the store for baking powder and soda--pantry not fully functioning yet. Yesterday we had our first roast dinner and a Chiefs game. The roast dinner was a huge success, unlike the Chiefs, but that is also familiar--Chiefs losing. :)
Hannah had a big drumline competition on Sat at our HS. It rained and had to be held in the gym--so it was LOUD!! I was bummed to have to sit alone as I know no one everywhere I go, so I was surprised to hear someone shouting "Kristin, Kristin" as I walked thru the gym. I turned and found Mrs. Rhea the girls 2nd and 3rd grade teacher from Belair in JC! Her daughter is H's age and is the 1st girl on the snareline in 20 years at JCHS. We were delighted to chat between bands and she was thrilled to get to see H. Our percussion group did really well, but of course, Jeff City won the event and I was happy to stand and cheer with them. Once a Jay, Always a JAY!! I'll look forward to seeing the JC band at other competitions this fall.
The house is coming along. I need to finish up my room and bathroom then work on decorating the girls rooms one at a time. Plus we have umpteen boxes in the garage and basement to wrangle. Would love to park in the garage by the time snow flies.
Busy days ahead, like always. Looking forward to Jess and Josh coming this weekend. The church is having the official "Welcome to the Stinnetts" Potluck on Sun and Jess is coming. We are ready to see her as we didn't get enough of her over the 6 days she was home this summer. Lots of standing around and smiling at people for all of us. It's all good. It's all good.....
Hannah had a big drumline competition on Sat at our HS. It rained and had to be held in the gym--so it was LOUD!! I was bummed to have to sit alone as I know no one everywhere I go, so I was surprised to hear someone shouting "Kristin, Kristin" as I walked thru the gym. I turned and found Mrs. Rhea the girls 2nd and 3rd grade teacher from Belair in JC! Her daughter is H's age and is the 1st girl on the snareline in 20 years at JCHS. We were delighted to chat between bands and she was thrilled to get to see H. Our percussion group did really well, but of course, Jeff City won the event and I was happy to stand and cheer with them. Once a Jay, Always a JAY!! I'll look forward to seeing the JC band at other competitions this fall.
The house is coming along. I need to finish up my room and bathroom then work on decorating the girls rooms one at a time. Plus we have umpteen boxes in the garage and basement to wrangle. Would love to park in the garage by the time snow flies.
Busy days ahead, like always. Looking forward to Jess and Josh coming this weekend. The church is having the official "Welcome to the Stinnetts" Potluck on Sun and Jess is coming. We are ready to see her as we didn't get enough of her over the 6 days she was home this summer. Lots of standing around and smiling at people for all of us. It's all good. It's all good.....
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